Iced masala chai: Enjoy the goodness of spiced milk tea in summer

Are you the kind of person that likes to drink your 'chai' piping hot? Do you get annoyed when served with lukewarm tea? Then this recipe is going to test your patience. In other words, this might really not be your 'cup of tea'.

On the other hand, if you are a cold coffee lover, this could very well become your favourite go-to drink but with a lot less caffeine. This drink is perfect for chai-lovers to have in summer. It would pair well with fries and crisps over biscuits, unlike hot teas.

Ingredients
1.5-2 cups water
2-3 black tea bags or 1 tbsp loose black tea leaves
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
1 cinnamon stick
2-3 green cardamom pods, crushed
1-inch piece of ginger, sliced or grated
2-3 whole cloves
Ice cubes
Mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Preparation
In a saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
Add the black tea bags or loose tea leaves, crushed cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, sliced ginger, and cloves
Allow it to simmer for 5-7 minutes to infuse the spices
Pour in the whole milk and bring the mixture back to a simmer
Allow it to simmer for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally
Add sugar to the tea and stir until it dissolves
Adjust the sweetness according to your taste
Remove the tea from heat and let it cool to room temperature
Strain the spiced tea to remove the tea leaves and spices
Transfer the strained tea to the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 2 hours or until cold
Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled spiced tea over the ice
Garnish each glass with a few mint leaves for a refreshing touch